BEIRUT: At the request of President Emmanuel Macron, French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Griot briefed Lebanese President Michel Aoun about Macron’s visit to the Gulf, particularly his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which sought “to help Lebanon”. expressed his commitment to the The commitments made need to be implemented, as stated by the Lebanese presidential media office.
During the meeting, Griot stressed that “Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries are ready to take the necessary steps, and for their part, Lebanon should do what is required of it and its commitment to reforms, especially structural reforms.” Prove your credibility in commitment. Dealing with deep crisis requires new work tools.”
The meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Macron last Saturday in Jeddah issued a statement regarding Lebanon, with the pair emphasizing “the need for the Lebanese government to undertake comprehensive reforms”.
Both sides also stressed the “need to limit the possession of weapons to legitimate state institutions” and that “Lebanon should not serve as a base for terrorist acts that destabilize the security and stability of the region.” , or serve as a basis for drug trafficking.” Further stressed “the importance of strengthening the role of the Lebanese military in maintaining the security and stability of Lebanon”.
The pair had a joint phone call during their meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
During his conversation with Aun, Griot emphasized the importance placed by the international community and France in the legislative, municipal and presidential elections to be held next year.
In response to the Saudi-French statement, on behalf of Hezbollah, former minister Mohamed Funish said on Tuesday that the group “will not replace the symbol of our dignity and freedom with the essential conditions of life.
“It is unacceptable to us to give up the resistance and its weapons in exchange for solving the economic crisis,” he said.
Backland
A Lebanese-related statement was issued at last Saturday’s meeting in Jeddah between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Macron, in which the pair stressed the “need for the Lebanese government to undertake comprehensive reforms”.
Hezbollah’s insistence on investigating the Port of Beirut blast has suspended a cabinet session from October 12. According to its chief Hassan Nasrallah, judicial investigator Tariq Bitter has been accused by the group of being biased against it.
On Tuesday, Beirut’s Civil Court of Appeals, headed by Judge Randa Harouk, dismissed a lawsuit filed by former minister Joseph Fanianos against Bitter “for lack of qualitative jurisdiction”.
Harouk “decided to impose a fine of 800,000 Lebanese pounds ($530) on the plaintiff and to inform Judge Bitter of the contents of the decision, including as he continues his investigation relating to the file of the Port of Beirut explosion. “
A judicial source told Arab News that the defendants had exhausted all steps that could be taken in the Court of Appeal, and that they would seek the Court of Cassation to obstruct the interrogation of 4 former ministers in addition to former Prime Minister Hassan Diab. can take help. ,
Despite the fact that almost 16 months have passed since the disaster, Bitter has yet to file an indictment.
According to another judicial source, Bitter has rejected all attempts to remove the brief from him and refer the ministers and the prime minister to a court that would be created by parliament to try the presidents and ministers, the Hezbollah and Amal movements. requests made by.
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